Soft Cruelty: The Complete Collection

SCSD: Summer Love

With
a startled cry of surprise, Haruka and Michiru fell to the bed as
their feet were tripped up by the luggage on the floor. Michiru’s
arms had found their way to Haruka’s hips while one of the blonde’s
knees had found itself between the swimmer’s own, pressing lightly
against her center. Faces mere inches apart, both of them froze,
quite aware of the horrifically compromising position that they had
found themselves in. All because of an errant suitcase left on the
floor as the two were moving into the room from the hallway. Haruka,
being gentlemanly, had attempted to keep her ex-girlfriend from
falling but wound up landing square on top of her; and on top of the
bed no less. Just when things couldn’t possibly have gotten any
more awkward, Haruka noticed out of the corner of her eye, someone in
the doorway. Michiru turned her head toward where the racer was
looking and felt her heart freeze in her chest as her breath caught
in her throat.

“Usagi.”

The
two women on the bed scrambled to untangle themselves as they got to
their feet; Michiru’s face openly displaying her anxiety while
Haruka blushed cherry red at the awkward position and the fear that
Usagi may wind up taking it the wrong way. Scratching the back of her
neck nervously, she tried to explain.

“Usagi,
it wasn’t how-” She was cut off by Usagi’s raised hand.

“Usagi-koi,
We just-” The hand moved over to silence Michiru as well, and at
the motion, her chest clenched painfully tight as the freezing
feeling grew. ‘No.’

Usagi’s
emotion was masked behind a calm display of impassiveness. Her eyes
and mouth betrayed nothing, her stance completely neutral. Looking
between the two women who stood before her she took a minute or two
to slowly scan the room. Spying the suitcase on the floor between the
three of them with a noticeably crushed-in flap and corner, she
turned back to look Michiru in the eyes, clearly seeing the worry and
pain within their depths.

“Haruka-chan,
would you please leave Michiru and me alone for a few minutes?” Her
voice was steady and even, if not slightly cool; her eyes never
leaving Michiru’s.

The
sandy blonde racer nodded and walked quietly out of the room, closing
the door softly behind her. Usagi stood rooted to her spot looking at
Michiru, noticing her breathing shallower than normal. She could
almost hear what her lover was thinking to herself, wondering if this
might betray their relationship and snuff it out like it had never
existed. She stepped slowly forward until she was within arms
distance of the ocean goddess. A strangled sob escaped the woman in
question before Usagi wrapped her arms tightly around her waist in a
hug. Michiru’s own arms snaked their way around the blonde’s neck
and tightened as she cried.

“It’s
not what you think, Usagi! Haruka and I were just talking and I
wasn’t watching where I was going when I opened the door. The
suitcase was in the way and I tripped. Haruka was just trying to
catch me from falling but we both fell on the bed.”

“Shh,
shhh. It’s okay Michiru.” Usagi whispered in her ear, her calming
tone a mantra she repeated. A minute or two passed and the crying had
slowed to the occasional sniffle, all the while Usagi rubbed her
lover’s back slowly. “Are you okay now?” she asked quietly,
receiving a nod in reply. Turning she led her girlfriend into the
bathroom. Usagi fetched a washcloth and wet it down to wipe away the
tears on her lover’s face. Dropping the cloth back in the sink she
cupped Michiru’s face gently in her hands, forcing the woman to
look at her.

“Michiru.
I trust in you completely. I believe you. Please don’t cry any
more, it breaks my heart to see you like this.”

“It’s
that easy for you?” She replied in a pained undertone, the complete
trust being shown by this incredible woman shocking her.

Turning
them so that she held the ocean senshi from behind, her arms around
her waist and her head resting on her shoulder she moved so they
faced the mirror. She was fortunate that neither of them were wearing
shoes, their heights were almost equal with Michiru only an inch or
two taller than herself. Squeezing her gently to press fully into her
back and project a sense of protection, warmth and love, she chose
her words of faith she knew she would speak only to Michiru. That
only this woman in her arms now would be the only person who ever
meant this much to her in any lifetime.

“Look
in the reflection, Michiru. You don’t need to hear my words to
believe me. All you need do is look in my eyes and find the love for
you that shines there constantly. And all I need do for you is the
same.” Usagi whispered back, “We may have our fights, but all
couples do. That doesn’t mean we’ll stop loving each other or
love each other less than we do now. I know we’ve had some bad
times, but there have been a lot of good times too. We’ll also have
our share of misunderstandings, but I hope we both have the patience
to work them out instead of jumping to conclusions. I know you’re
incapable of straying from me, from us. I trust in you explicitly and
I believe in our love and the strength it gives us. So long as we
both do, nothing will ever tear us apart.”

As
the hushed benediction came forth, Michiru closed her eyes and leaned
her head against Usagi’s own as a few last tears slipped from
underneath her lids. After a few moments, Usagi slid around in front
of her once again, gently kissing away her tears before kissing her
on the lips and drawing her into another hug. She nuzzled
affectionately at her neck, placing small kisses there, trailing up
to her temple and onto her forehead knowing that her lover needed
this contact, knowing she needed this assurance.

“Aishiteru,
touhou oite shinpyou.” She whispered.

“Hai.
Aishiteru.” Michiru whispered back.

They
stood like that for quite a while, Usagi holding onto Michiru and
giving her butterfly kisses and whispering nothings in her ear, her
hands slowly rubbing circles on Michiru’s back to help soothe and
relax.

“Feel
better?” Usagi asked quietly with a small smile.

“Mmmhmm.”
Michiru hummed.

“Good.”
Usagi replied, “Now kiss me.”

Michiru
was more than happy to comply, her lips pressing against Usagi’s in
a heartfelt caress. Usagi felt her girlfriend melt into her, her
warmth and softness, the scent of her perfume the sweetest of
tortures. Her grip around her body tightened as she squeezed even
closer, opening her mouth to gently lick at Michiru’s lips with her
tongue, seeking entrance. A soft moan and a moment later lips parted
granting the blonde access to sweet warmth to explore. Michiru moaned
again, the sound swallowed up by Usagi’s hungry mouth. Usagi
finally broke slowly away, both of them breathing hard, their
foreheads pressed together and their eyes closed as their hearts
thundered in their chests. Michiru grinned.

“This
wouldn’t perhaps be the point where you try to get my mind to
replace all the bad with something extremely good would it? What
about Hotaru, Chibiusa, and Haruka? And Rei and Minako?”

“Oh,
Hotaru’s plenty old enough to keep them both out of trouble. And I
think Rei and Minako can go shopping together without me today.
Something tells me they’d like to spend the day together without
the rest of us around.” Usagi shot back; “In the meantime…”
she leaned forward and started whispering something in her
girlfriend’s ear. The smile disappeared and Michiru’s eyebrows
rose as she listened. Usagi drew back, a lecherous grin on her face.

“You
know what, Usagi-chan? You might make a fine queen after all.”
Michiru said with a quirk of her lips as she swirled a finger over
Usagi’s chest, turning out of her embrace and heading for the
shower, pausing only once to look over her shoulder. Usagi shuddered
visibly at the desire and passion she saw within those aquamarine
pools and quickly hurried to follow her lover. ‘Ahh,’
she mused with a Cheshire smile, ‘it’s
good to be me.’

Friday
saw the ten women starting to pack up their things as their week at
the lakeside cabin was coming to a close. Tomorrow they would leave
to head back to Tokyo and their respective homes. The plan for
tonight was a barbeque to finish off the week of fun they spent
together. Haruka walked out the front door that faced the lake and
saw Michiru sitting on the porch swing watching Hotaru and Chibiusa
play in the water. She made her way over and leaned against the
railing, turning to watch the two youngest senshi as well. Michiru
noticed her but said nothing, still fingering the small ring box in
her pocket. Haruka took note of the four inner senshi starting up a
volleyball game on the white sand with the two guardian cats acting
as referees, one on each side of the net, and chuckled to herself.

“Don’t
know how well Ami-chan will stand up to Minako-chan in their little
game.”

“Yeah,
I’ve not seen Minako play, but Usagi said it’s almost scary. You
don’t want to be on the receiving end of one of her spikes.” The
swimmer replied.

“Speaking
of koneko-chan, how’d it go yesterday? I noticed she didn’t go
with Rei and Minako when they went shopping with Ami and Makoto. Rei
said that you weren’t coming with us to the movie either. Setsuna
came instead.” She asked, her gaze turning to the two women in
question lounging on the beach and talking quietly together.

“She
was understanding and knew that it was just an accident.” She
replied with a wistful smile.

“She
didn’t jump to conclusions?! Hell if Setsuna would have seen that,
she’d have gone ballistic!” Haruka gaped.

“We
trust in our love. Usagi knows I’d never betray her and she places
all her trust in that fact. And I realize now, that I feel the same
toward her. I trust that she’ll never stray from us either. And
that has only solidified my resolve to ask her to marry me.”
Michiru replied, “I just still don’t know how I’m going to ask
her.” Michiru looked out over at her blonde-haired lover, smiling
gently.

The
two outer senshi sat in silence for quite some time; Michiru deep in
thought, and Haruka not knowing what to say to help her ex decide how
to pop the question. Her concentration was interrupted by a
volleyball impacting the sand and bouncing up into Setsuna’s lap,
followed by a cry from Makoto, yelling at Minako to check her
strength. At that moment the time guardian unfurled from the beach
recliner she had been lying on, grabbing the volleyball in both
hands. She looked down at Usagi and said something to which Usagi
nodded. She stood up as well and together the two headed over to the
small beach volleyball area. Usagi made her way around the other side
of the net, joining Ami and Makoto as Setsuna took up her spot to
serve. The other four inners took it in stride and soon the game was
on again.

Haruka
shot a glance over at the senshi of Neptune, “Shall we go join our
significant others and make it four on four?”

Michiru
put the box back in the pocket of her jeans before standing up,
“Yeah. Let’s go get changed quick.”

They
headed inside and upstairs to their respective rooms, changing
quickly. Haruka came out in a modest two-piece black bikini, one of
the rare feminine things she wore because heaven forbid she was
caught dead in a dress. Michiru’s skimpier teal two piece string
bikini showed off much more skin and turned more than a few of the
other senshis’ heads as she walked toward them as well as earning a
wolf whistle from her girlfriend which in turn earned said girlfriend
a blush. Hotaru and Chibiusa came out of the water and brought their
towels and a couple of chairs over to watch and dry off. After an
agreement between the two teams to start the game over due to
additions to the teams, Saturn and Chibimoon agreed to keep score.
Serves went back and forth, with the bulk of the competition between
Haruka and Minako and Michiru and Makoto. As most games go, the more
active people started getting more adverse in their attempts to
one-up the other, mainly between Minako and Makoto; Minako with her
volleyball experience and Makoto for her superior strength and
reflexes. The game continued for a good half hour, with a few breaks
to apply sun block and get drinks as the heat of the day, despite
them being in the mountains, was still high. The winning point was
scored by Minako’s team when the blonde blocked a spike attempt by
Makoto. With that over, the group headed inside for a quick lunch.

Michiru
went back up to her room to find a pair of black shorts to put on
over her bikini bottom as well as a white button-up shirt. Noticing
her jeans, she stopped short buttoning up her shirt and stared at the
bulge in the front pocket. Debating with herself for a minute or two,
she was caught off guard at the voice that called at her from the
stairwell.

“Michiru-koi?
Are you ready to go?”

“Yes
sweetheart, I was just finishing up.” She replied, quickly grabbing
the ring box and sticking it in her shorts pocket.

Checking
her hair quick in the bathroom mirror, she made her way out of the
room and down the stairs to join her lover. “You go on ahead and
get in the car. I’ll be right there.”

“Alright
but hurry, I miss you already.” She replied, kissing Michiru on the
cheek before practically skipping out the door.

“Where
are you two headed off to?” Makoto asked, a knowing smile on her
face as she prepped their lunch.

“I’m
taking Usagi out for lunch in Omachi.” Michiru said, grabbing the
keys to her Camaro.

“I
hear there’s supposed to be a fireworks show tonight around nine
pm. I figure if we have the barbeque at seven we’ll have plenty of
time to eat and get situated on the beach for the display.” Haruka
piped up, a knowing look at the senshi of Neptune. “Some sort of
holiday that the town celebrates every summer. A festival of fire or
something, I’m not sure.”

The
rest of the inner senshi stood there, looking back and forth between
the two outers while Setsuna hid her knowing smile behind a face of
impassiveness. She also knew what Haruka was getting at. The ocean
senshi left, closing the door behind her. The rest of them sat in
relative silence as they heard Michiru’s car start, shift into
gear, and pull away, the sounds of its engine fading away to nothing.

“Alright,”
Rei finally spoke up, “Would one of you two mind telling us what’s
going on?” she glared first at Haruka then at Setsuna.

“No
offense but what myself and Haruka both know, is at the current time,
none of your business.” Setsuna spoke up.

“Setsuna’s
right. You’ll all find out tonight, so don’t even bother asking
us about it.” Haruka continued.

“But
we want to-” Makoto began but was cut off.

“No
buts, Mako-chan. If they say we’ll find out tonight, then we can
wait. It won’t kill you.” Ami piped up, despite her own
curiosity. “Now forget about it and concentrate on our lunch. Or
we’re not going to be having any!”

“Yeah,
and we have to eat quick. I have to get the boat back to the rental
place by three o’clock and Setsuna has to be there to pick me up.”
Haruka continued.

“You’re
no fair.” Minako replied, pouting.

“I’m
being quite fair to those whom it concerns.” Haruka replied before
moving toward the door, “Call me when lunch is ready, I have to go
prep the boat and get any of our stuff off it before I head out.”

Michiru
was silent as the car moved smoothly down the road, her concentration
on the road almost frightening in its intensity. Usagi kept looking
toward her, worry gripping her heart as she wondered what had
happened to make her girlfriend like this. She had already forgiven
the incident that had happened yesterday involving Michiru, Haruka,
herself, and a misplaced piece of luggage so she knew that wasn’t
it. She reached out a comforting hand to Michiru’s own that rested
on the gear shift, her frown increasing as it flinched under her
touch. She looked up at the aqua haired beauty and finally gave voice
to her concerns.

“Michi?
What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s
wrong, Usagi-chan.” She replied back, glancing over at the blonde
princess before returning her eyes to the road ahead, “What makes
you say that?”

“Because
I can see it in your eyes and all over your face. Your entire body
radiates tension, as if something was bothering you. Please tell me?
It might make you feel better if you did.”

“Like
I said before, nothing is wrong. Don’t worry about it, my love. If
anything I’m just a little sad about having to leave the lake and
cabin, that’s all.” She tried to ghost over her nervousness with
a small white lie, which wasn’t completely untrue. She really
didn’t want to leave.

“Okay.
I’m right here if you want to talk about it any further, Michiru. I
love you.” Usagi frowned slightly, knowing that Michiru was hiding
something but decided not to press the matter. She’d come around on
her own eventually.

“I
love you too, Usa.” She replied, lifting the hand that rested on
her own to press a kiss to her knuckles, “Don’t worry about it
koneko, it’s really nothing.”

“Alright.”

The
Camaro rolled into Omachi and slowed as Michiru applied the brakes,
bringing their speed down as they passed by shops and stores, headed
for the downtown district. People moved hurriedly through the hustle
and bustle that gripped the large town as they prepared for the last
day of the summer festival. The main theme was fire, with stories
about it, decorations in reds, oranges, yellows, and blues prominent
throughout many of the streets and businesses, and costumes of red
dragons and fire spirits worn by people who danced along the
sidewalk. It was odd that they would be celebrating something such as
fire in the middle of the hottest time of the year, but then again
oddly fitting as such. It was a local celebration, not being
recognized nationally, but according to the locals though that was
just fine with them. Many of the tourists that came to Omachi and the
lake it rested beside were ones that had been coming here every year
on a continuous basis or those that had familial ties to the area.
Most of them were born and raised in the area and had moved away to
college or some other job abroad and came back to relax.

Stories
say the summer festival was something started by a small group of
people as nothing more than a simple party between friends gathered
around a bonfire that grew over the years to eventually include the
entire town. That old adage that every person was connected to each
other by no more than seven different people seemed to be true. And
for the large part it was kept secret from the rest of the world. The
people who lived here wanted it that way and so it was a generally
accepted albeit unwritten rule that those who merely visited
shouldn’t speak much of the festival to anyone other than those who
had already been there.

Finding
a place to park on what could have been considered the main street
through town, Michiru put the top up on the convertible, cracking the
windows open so that it wouldn’t get too hot inside and cut the
engine. The two women got out of the car, Michiru locking the doors
before making her way around to Usagi, taking hold of her hand. They
stepped up onto the sidewalk and took their time looking around at
the brightly colored decorations and the local people having fun and
enjoying themselves. Laughter could be heard in more than a few
places, usually by groups of children watching fire masters juggling
lit torches up in the air. Usagi smiled, leaning into the ocean
senshi as she took in their surroundings. Even the heat of the day,
the temperature pushing thirty four degrees Celsius, didn’t put
even the slightest damper in the fun and activities that encompassed
them. Bottled water was available for free en masse, a table on each
side of the street every block kept fully stocked.

“So
they’re having fireworks tonight?” Usagi asked as they stopped to
look at a table where a vendor was selling plushies.

“Yeah,
it’s supposed to start at nine. Haruka said something about having
the barbeque at seven so we have time to eat, clean up, and get
situated around the bonfire on the beach.” Michiru replied as she
perused the table.

“Oh!
Look at her! Isn’t she so cute?!” Usagi squealed as she picked up
a plushie.

It
was a red, fat, floppy eared bunny with white paws. A small silver
fabric patch in the shape of a tiny flame was sowed onto its chest.
Button eyes and embroidered whiskers completed the plump chibi
rabbit. All in all it was a unique looking plushie to be sure. Usagi
hugged it to her chest before turning and holding it out to show her
girlfriend. “Can we keep her?”

“Sure
Usagi-koi, anything for you. Besides, it’s a rather unique rabbit
and I know for sure you don’t have one quite like it in your
collection.” She laughed.

“Thank
you so much, Michi!”

“You’re
welcome Usako.” She replied, pulling out some bills and handing
them to the smiling vendor. Getting her change back she turned back
around and joined Usagi in continuing their walk down the street.
Usagi hugged her new plushie to her chest as Michiru’s arm snaked
around her waist, pulling her close. The blonde turned her head and
planted a kiss on the swimmer’s cheek.

The
couple talked and laughed their way down the street in search of a
place to eat lunch. Finally settling on a small restaurant serving
western style food, they sat down and ordered. After a while their
food came and they ate in companionable silence. Staying for a while
longer and enjoying the outdoor café Michiru checked her watch.
Seeing their time passing, she moved to stand up; the two of them
paying the bill owed and made their way back up the street to their
car. Michiru opened the door for Usagi helping her in before moving
around to climb in herself. Starting the Camaro she dropped the top
and rolled the windows down. She smiled as she saw Usagi hug her new
plushie tight as she backed out of the parking spot and moved out
onto the road. Circling the block she swiftly maneuvered back onto
the main road leading back toward the cabin.

The
sun had just set as the senshi were cleaning up the dishes from their
party. Haruka scrubbed the grill down and rolled it back up onto the
deck and into the cabin to store it until next time they would be
out. She and Setsuna had returned the speedboat rental back to the
rental agency just after Usagi and Michiru had come back from their
outing at the festival. Rei and Minako had started a small bonfire in
the ring down on the beach and were in the process of helping Ami and
Makoto bring chairs down and set them up in a small semi circle
around the ring, facing the lake and Omachi on the far shore. Hotaru
and Chibiusa had brought the chest cooler down to the beach as well,
having just stocked it with drinks and ice. The six of them were soon
joined by the rest of the outers and Usagi. The ten of them claimed
their seats around the fire, the mood light and airy as talk and
laughter were exchanged, recalling the events of their vacation.

The
senshi all thanked Rei and Minako for inviting them to come along and
everyone promised to come next year and do it again. Having
everything else packed up and already in the vehicles ensured that
they would be able to get under way tomorrow morning as soon as
everyone was up and had eaten breakfast. All that was left to do
tonight was make sure the chairs were stored safely inside after the
fireworks show. Nervousness washed over Michiru as her hand deftly
pulled out the small black velvet box from her pocket and out of the
corner of her eye saw Haruka nod her ascent. Drawing strength from
that approval she stood up and turned to face her blonde haired
lover.

“Usagi?”
She asked in a voice loud enough to silence the others. Soon everyone
was looking on at the couple.

“What
is it, Michiru?” Usagi turned and focused on her. She was
momentarily stunned by the way the firelight played in her
girlfriend’s eyes, adding dancing yellow and orange points of light
to the deep cerulean color. She watched as Michiru slowly dropped to
one knee and then her eyes grew wide as she saw the little black box
in the palm of the Neptunian’s hand. Her startled gasp brought the
attention of the rest of the senshi to the box.

“Usagi,”
Michiru opened the box, the light of the fire making the gemmed
saronite ring glitter brightly in the dark, “I’ve
known you for quite some time now. It takes a lot of courage for me
to do this, but you know that I love you with all my heart and soul.
I always have, and I always will. I know that, while my
heart may not be the biggest out there, but it doesn’t need to be
because you fill it full. My shoulders may not be the broadest there
are, but they’re always there for you to lean on. My
arms may not be as strong as others, they’re warm and safe. My
hands aren’t those of a doctor, or scientist, or movie star, but
they will always be there to catch you should you ever start to fall,
provide you with what you need, and defend you in times of danger. I
may not have much to give, but I give you all that I have. I just
want you to know that despite your answer and come whatever may, I
shall always stand by your side. So
I humbly ask you to be with me forever. Usagi… will you marry me?”

The
rest of the senshi turned their gaze at Usagi, seeing the tears slip
quietly down her cheeks as they caught the light of the fire. She
nodded once, twice, before gasping out, “Yes! Yes I will marry you
Michiru! I love you so much!” she smiled.

“Oh
that’s so romantic!” Minako squealed, hugging her Rei close.
“When are you going to propose to me, Reiko?”

“Uhhh…”
The miko looked toward Makoto and Haruka for help, “How do I answer
that?”

“You
don’t.” They responded as one.

Unknown
by the rest of the senshi, Chibiusa smiled, seeing fully now what her
mothers had been trying to tell her all along. Knowing that her time
was almost up and that she’d have to be returning to the future
soon, she took the time to enjoy seeing her parents’ younger selves
in one of their greatest moments of joy and commit that sight to
memory. She’d have to thank them for allowing her to come back to
this week and experience it. Amongst cheers and clapping from the
rest of their friends, Michiru took the ring carefully out of the
box. Holding her girlfriend’s hand gently, she slid it carefully
onto her finger, her smile widening as it fit perfectly. Sealing it
with a kiss she found her arms full of Usagi as her new fiancé
hugged her tight. Just as they kissed a bring flash, followed shortly
by a small boom caught the rest of the senshis’ attentions. The
fireworks had started. And for two of them, it was merely the
beginning. A beginning they knew they would remember the rest of
their days.

A/N
– Used an online English to Japanese dictionary for Usagi’s line
“Aishiteru, touhou oite shinpyou”, which, if I wrote it correctly
means “I love you, trust in me.”

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